Mental Health First Aid is an 8 hour, evidence based, course that teaches individuals skills to aid loved ones, community members and others who may be experiencing mental health or substance use issues. The course teaches how to recognize risk factors and warning signs of a potential mental health challenge, basic information on some more common mental illnesses such as anxiety and depression, a five step action plan to help prevent or mitigate a mental health crisis, and professional and self help resources shown to aid people in protecting their mental health.

Why Mental Health First Aid?Every year, approximately 1 in 5 people will suffer from a mental illness.Often times, professional help is not readily available, and we may not know what we can do to help.Mental Health First Aid teaches us what we can do, and gives us a better understanding of mental illness.

The Central Illinois AHEC is a member of the Mental Health First Aid Collaborative, which promotes and hosts MHFA trainings largely in McLean County, Illinois. Other members include the Mclean County Center for Human Services, the McLean County Health Department, Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, the Illinois Prarie Community Foundation, and OSF St. Joseph Medical Center.

The Collaborative hosts several public MHFA courses every year, check out their poster, or go to the Collaborative's webpage for more information

Find Out More

We are happy to answer any of your questions: please contact Diane Schnitkey at dschni1@IllinoisState.edu